Summary:
The Coeur d'Alene District in Idaho serves 10 elementary schools (grades PK/K through 5) with a total enrollment of 4,154 students and ranks #13 of 101 Idaho districts, placing it well above state averages in math (52.0% vs. 43.1%), ELA (65.9% vs. 54.0%), and 5th-grade science (58.7% vs. 44.0%). Yet behind those strong district numbers lies dramatic variation: the average elementary school enrolls about 415 students, with Skyway Elementary School the largest at 518 and Sorensen Magnet School Of The Arts And Humanities the smallest at 318.
The standout schools are Hayden Meadows Elementary School, ranked #7 in Idaho with the district's highest math and ELA proficiency (76.3% and 80.3%) and remarkably low chronic absenteeism; Dalton Elementary School, ranked #11 with the lowest poverty rate and consistent 5-star ratings; Sorensen Magnet School Of The Arts And Humanities, ranked #21 with the highest science proficiency at 78.0%; and Winton Elementary School, ranked #26 despite having the highest poverty rate (56.5% FRL eligibility) — an impressive positive outlier. At the other end, Northwest Expedition Academy ranks #303 with the lowest proficiency in every subject (29.4% math, 40.5% ELA) and has fallen sharply since 2023-24, while Ramsey Magnet School Of Science and Fernan Stem Academy also trail district averages in their 3-star ratings.
Several patterns stand out for parents. Math proficiency declines as students move from 3rd to 5th grade (61.9% to 56.4%), while ELA proficiency rises (63.7% to 69.2%) — suggesting upper-elementary math deserves attention district-wide. Per-student spending does not predict outcomes: Fernan spends the most ($10,010) yet scores below average, while Dalton and Hayden spend the least and achieve the best results. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at Ramsey (21.7% in 2024-25), and school trajectories vary widely: Winton and Skyway have climbed more than 70 state ranking positions, while Northwest Expedition and Ramsey have dropped 80 positions or more. This is a strong district overall, but school choice makes a meaningful difference in a child's academic experience.
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